Understanding the Relationship between ADHD and Anxiety
There is a popular term in the world of psychology referring to ADHD which is “neuro divergent”. So what does it mean to be neuro divergent and why do we use this term? Individuals with ADHD think and process differently than others and this term acknowledges that fact. It is not that it is bad or wrong, its just different. There are pros and cons to having ADHD but it seems often all the focus falls on the cons.
The world we operate in tends to reflect “neuro typical” ways of thinking. And often tries to fit everyone into that box but the reality is that we don’t all fit in that box. So what happens when we don’t fit in the box? Sometimes we start to pick up on these subtle messages of “you’re not good enough”, “you are lazy”, “you are not smart enough”or “you are not working hard enough”.
As someone who has ADHD, when I am listening to instructions I am processing the first part of the instructions while the rest of the instructions are still being given. Or I am focusing really hard on listening to the whole instructions and will remember the last part but forget the first. In school it is encouraged to ask questions so when I was growing up I would ask “Can you repeat the instructions?” To be met with responses such as “Why weren’t you listening the first time?”
Over and over again we receive these non-verbal messages that We aren’t good enough, that we are smart enough. ENOUGH, ENOUGH, ENOUGH. So many of these messages revolve around this idea of being enough and over the years its is easy and natural to start to internalize these messages.
How Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Can Help
In therapy we start to re-write these messages for ourselves. Re-look at the internal messages we have been telling ourselves for years and decide which ones are serving us and which ones aren’t and need to be traded in for new messages. Ready to start looking at the messages you have been telling yourself? We would love to support you in your journey.
Charlotte Therapist
Bethani Cogburn MA, LCMHC is a therapist in Charlotte, NC who uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy along with mindfulness, mind-body approaches, and expressive arts to help clients cope with ADHD, reduce anxiety, and manage stress. Bethani is also a Registered Yoga Teacher and loves to help her clients learn how to use tools from yoga to help manage anxiety and stress.